Christian tropers, join together!

It's one thing to teach that this is how scientist believe God created the world(big bang, evolution)and that the creation account in Genesis is more concerned with the Who, then with the when or how. I've read that it was to refute the mythologies of the other religions that claimed that the world was made out of a dead god, or that humans were created because the gods were lazy and wanted some one else to feed them. In any case, one day, all will be made clear. Hopefully, since we sure are not entitled to an explanation.

But it would be a different matter to say Christian schools should teach a materialistic world view. Which isn't the same as methodological naturalism wherein God is not a factor in an experiment, because there would be no reason for God to mess with it.

Edited by bookworm6390 on Jan 31st 2019 at 4:00:02 AM

Has anyone else here gone through periods in their life where they feel like their faith has struggled? I’m not talking about questioning if God exists or not, because I do still believe, but more like a feeling of being disconnected. I still believe, but my faith feels so distant right now that it’s almost more of a concept to me sometimes. It’s just hard, and I don’t know how to quite get it back.

That's pretty much where I am right now. Doesnt help that being faithful is increasingly damn near discouraged in modern culture.

Yeah I definitely get that feeling, especially with getting disconected from my physical Church community (I'm used to the order of a Catholic ceremony but well I can't do it with how they treat gay members etc, so I'm kind of drifting, and it's hard to do feel connected without a community).

I quite often feel like that, I wonder "do I actually believe? Or have I just convinced myself I do?" The one thing I then realise is hold on, when was the last time I prayed? Or read in the Bible? God speaks to us through his Word, and through prayer, and they're the best sources of faith.

I'd really recommend talking to God about your faith. Explain how you're feeling, and ask for God to make his presence known.

One way might be to follow the pattern of Psalm 13 - even King David struggled with his faith - in your own words of course.

How long, Lord? Will you forget me forever?
How long will you hide your face from me?
How long must I wrestle with my thoughts
and day after day have sorrow in my heart?
How long will my enemy triumph over me?

Look on me and answer, Lord my God.
Give light to my eyes, or I will sleep in death,
and my enemy will say, "I have overcome him,"
and my foes will rejoice when I fall.

But I trust in your unfailing love;
my heart rejoices in your salvation.
I will sing the Lord's praise,
for he has been good to me.

• David tells God that he feels abandoned, struggling with doubt, sadness, and persecution.
• David asks God to make himself known, asking for comfort, healing and guidance (various interpretations of "give light to my eyes").
• David trusts that, despite his seeming distance, God does love him, and has saved him, and acknowledges God's goodness.

I hope that helps at all.

The Biblical literalist view of things is wrong, and shouldn't be taught in schools. That's not an affront to Christianity, only an affront to ignorance.

Some people don't realize that God knows what a figure of speech is. And that God can be snarky to get his point across.

Then God should not make Sarcasm-Blind a thing.

Poor Communication Kills and all that. Literally.

Edited by RAlexa21th on Feb 12th 2019 at 7:00:32 AM

I wonder if ancient Hebrews would think of modern westerners as low context morons if they ever found out how their scriptures were misinterpreted.

Okay, I have to admit, at the risk of whatever reputation I have on these boards, I'm confused. If not in a literal sense, how does one interpret the Bible?

I mean just today I listened to the latest episode of a podcast where the guest was a former preacher who studied the Bible in the original Hebrew and Greek, and there's a lot of word play and innuendo that's lost in translation (and even if you can read the original languages, it's reliant on cultural context, similar to how much of Shakespeare's raunchiness is lost on modern audiences who aren't versed in the culture of the time)

@Thrice Charming

I think there is parts of the Bible to take literal and figuratively. I think say all of it is figurative is as wrong as saying all of it is literal.

A lot of Christian colleges emphasize context to Scripture for a reason. Heck, I would recommend churches learn more about context to give a better grasp on what is being taught.

Edited by firewriter on Feb 12th 2019 at 11:04:17 AM

Jesus would use hyperbole and exageration all the time to make a point.

Matthew 5:28-30
"But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.
29 If your right eye causes you to stumble, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell.
30 And if your right hand causes you to stumble, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to go into hell."

Are we literally supposed to pluck out our eyes, or cut off our hands? No! It's Jesus saying "Just don't do it. Remove yourself from situations where you will be tempted."

Edited by Ulysses21 on Feb 13th 2019 at 10:17:28 AM

It pays to remember that the Bible is a collection of many radically different books by just as many people. Not all of them are meant to be read the same way. You don't read Genesis the way you read Psalms the way you read Acts. For example, that whole "The Earth is only six thousand years old!" malarkey came about because Genesis said God created the Earth in six days but Psalms—literally a book of song lyrics—says "One day to God is like a thousand years to a man."

Are there some hymns that are exciting and majestic? Because many hymns are pretty somber sounding considering the subject. God is awesome, so the music should follow.

Generally I think you want Gospel music for songs about God that don't sound like they're mourning Him.

Right! I think I've heard Easter hymns where the lyrics are referring to the Resurrection, but the music and tone still sound like Good Friday!

Might I also suggest contemporary music? Or at least Skillet?

Ech. Contemporary Christian music is the worst. It's either overblown and dull and understated and dull, and it sounds like it was written by a someone who was halfway through their first music theory class. Living with a parent who loves this type of music I can say with confidence that I would listen to 8 hours of smooth jazz before I even consider considering listen to 5 seconds of Amy Grant's "Names of God".

I should clarify that I'm a fan of jazz in general. But everything its detractors hate about it I hate about contemporary Christian music.

Edited by PhysicalStamina on Feb 14th 2019 at 12:05:44 PM

What's wrong with jazz?

Anyway, my favorite song about God is 'God Gave Rock and Roll to You,' straight up. I know it's not "serious," but I find it very inspirational.

I say this. Gospel is the best that Christian music has to offer.

My speed is classical music, particularly Gregorian chanting. My thing tends to be Christian music that puts the fear/awe of God into you.

There's in particular the work of Estonian composer Arvo Part, who composes and (does versions of) classical and Christian hymms. Here's a great album of his that's on Youtube:

In diametric opposite I also quite like listening this and wish there would be more music in this vein (for those unfamiliar, it's basically a slightly sinister-sounding techno version of the Lord's Prayer):

Am I the only one who finds Gregorian chanting quite relaxing?

Gospel aside, if it's songs about God, Todd Edwards is my pick.

Edited by PhysicalStamina on Feb 16th 2019 at 11:31:41 AM

@Hail Muffins

I agree Gregorian Chant is something.